Birth Music Consultation
Birth Music Consultation
is ideal for individuals who want guidance on how to most effectively utilize music in their labor and birth, but do not plan to have the music therapist attend the birth. This is great for those who have doulas or other birth support in place, as well as clients who live in rural or distant places.
Our Four Session Birth Music Consultation package consists of:
3 prenatal sessions and 1 postnatal session
Personalized playlists for use in early labor and post-partum bonding period
Access to dozens of pre-programmed playlists for use in all stages of labor
Guidance for comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and use of music for labor and delivery
Recordings of three collaborative songs written together by family & MT-BC
Considerations for use of music and access to playlists for baby’s new life outside the womb
Our One Session Birth Music Consultation package consists of:
One prenatal session
Personalized playlists for use in early labor and post-partum bonding period
Access to dozens of pre-programmed playlists for use in all stages of labor
Guidance for comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and use of music for labor and delivery
Considerations for use of music and access to playlists for baby’s new life outside the womb
More About Sound Birthing™ Music Therapy
Although there have been advancements in anesthesia for labor and delivery in recent years, many couples today choose to have a natural childbirth experience. It has been substantiated by research that birth outcomes for mother and baby can be greatly enhanced through the natural childbirth process. Many free standing and hospital based family birthing centers are popping up around the country to meet this growing need. Several non-pharmacological interventions are available to laboring mothers including hypnosis, biofeedback, touch and massage, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation.
Although there have been advancements in anesthesia for labor and delivery in recent years, many couples today choose to have a natural childbirth experience. It has been substantiated by research that birth outcomes for mother and baby can be greatly enhanced through the natural childbirth process. Many free standing and hospital based family birthing centers are popping up around the country to meet this growing need. Several non-pharmacological interventions are available to laboring mothers including hypnosis, biofeedback, touch and massage, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation.
In the early 1980s, Music Therapists began to explore the use of “audioanalgesia” (sound for discomfort relief) in the music therapy process in working with labor and delivery patients. Music therapists assist patients in the clinical application of music in suppressing the discomfort response, but can also work with patients in deeper psychological and emotional ways. The process of “music therapy” differs from “music medicine” based on the establishment of a relationship between therapist and patient. Music therapists specifically design and develop unique treatments for each patient based on the patient’s need and condition.
In the early 1980s, Music Therapists began to explore the use of “audioanalgesia” (sound for discomfort relief) in the music therapy process in working with labor and delivery patients. Music therapists assist patients in the clinical application of music in suppressing the discomfort response, but can also work with patients in deeper psychological and emotional ways. The process of “music therapy” differs from “music medicine” based on the establishment of a relationship between therapist and patient. Music therapists specifically design and develop unique treatments for each patient based on the patient’s need and condition.
A Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth program is conducted by a board certified music therapist and consists of a series of sessions usually offered in the last trimester of pregnancy. Some music therapists also provide labor and delivery support for the couple during the birth and postnatal visits. Couples are taught how to use music to support their physical and emotional needs throughout the stages of labor and delivery.
The music therapist assists the couple in selecting and applying a specially chosen music program to calm, comfort, block discomfort, and focus breathing for each mother. The music therapist may also provide instruction in imagery and relaxation techniques, movement training, singing of lullabies and womb songs, and other creative arts experiences. (A womb song is a special song that is written for the baby while in utero.)
Familiar music can help comfort the mother during the birth experience and practice with the music before the birth is essential. This therapy has been found to significantly decrease the mother’s anxiety and discomfort responses, decrease the need for analgesic medications during birth, and has contributed to overall positive feelings about the birth process.
A Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth program is conducted by a board certified music therapist and consists of a series of sessions usually offered in the last trimester of pregnancy. Some music therapists also provide labor and delivery support for the couple during the birth and postnatal visits. Couples are taught how to use music to support their physical and emotional needs throughout the stages of labor and delivery.
The music therapist assists the couple in selecting and applying a specially chosen music program to calm, comfort, block discomfort, and focus breathing for each mother. The music therapist may also provide instruction in imagery and relaxation techniques, movement training, singing of lullabies and womb songs, and other creative arts experiences. (A womb song is a special song that is written for the baby while in utero.)
Familiar music can help comfort the mother during the birth experience and practice with the music before the birth is essential. This therapy has been found to significantly decrease the mother’s anxiety and discomfort responses, decrease the need for analgesic medications during birth, and has contributed to overall positive feelings about the birth process.
7 Foundational Processes of Music During Labor and Birth
1. Biological
Music changes biology is used to support a laboring client to regulate breathing, lower blood pressure and respiration, and decrease discomfort.
2. Psychological
Music enhances the ability to use coping mechanisms during labor (childbirth techniques) and may seem as though that time is passing faster than it is.
3. Sociological
Music evokes social support from others and holds the birthing team together including coaches, nurses, doctors, doula, family members, and music therapist.
4. Emotional
Music can be used to match or affirm moods and feelings the laboring client is experiencing (iso principle) or may be used to help them change their mood.
5. Developmental
ingMusic can support the process of becoming a parent, helping them to work through fears and to let go.
6. Spiritual
Music can enhance and support spiritual processes of the laboring client and may evoke a peak or transpersonal experience.
7. Environmental
Music can be very important in blocking out extraneous sounds in the birth environment that may interfere with the laboring person’s entrainment process. Music also provides a “sound blanket” which fills the space and wraps the birthing mother in sounds of comfort and safety.
Research
In a study * of 14 couples who participated in a Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth program it was found that music therapy was very beneficial during the labor and delivery process (DiCamillo, 1999). The use of music during labor and delivery was most effective in supporting (rhythmic) breathing (86%), remaining calm (86%), focus (71%), and in discomfort management (64%). Clients who practiced the techniques at home and who were familiar with their music felt in control and had more positive birth experiences. Many of the clients (64%), felt in control most of the time during labor and delivery. Imagery techniques were effective when paired with the music, and (71%) stated that these techniques were the most beneficial. All of the clients (100%) felt well supported during labor and delivery. All participants (100%) stated that the music therapy program enhanced family bonding with the baby during the immediate postpartum period.
In a study * of 14 couples who participated in a Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth program it was found that music therapy was very beneficial during the labor and delivery process (DiCamillo, 1999). The use of music during labor and delivery was most effective in supporting (rhythmic) breathing (86%), remaining calm (86%), focus (71%), and in discomfort management (64%). Clients who practiced the techniques at home and who were familiar with their music felt in control and had more positive birth experiences. Many of the clients (64%), felt in control most of the time during labor and delivery. Imagery techniques were effective when paired with the music, and (71%) stated that these techniques were the most beneficial. All of the clients (100%) felt well supported during labor and delivery. All participants (100%) stated that the music therapy program enhanced family bonding with the baby during the immediate postpartum period.
In another case study * by DiCamillo (2000), Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth was found to greatly enhance the birth outcome of an emergency preterm delivery of an infant (33 weeks gestation) due to the client’s condition of severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure). Due to the client’s precarious medical condition while in labor, the physician recommended against epidural anesthesia. The client was able to have an unmedicated, vaginal birth which is what she desired using only music for discomfort relief. The baby was breathing on its own at birth and did not require ventilation. Both mother and baby are doing fine today.
In another case study * by DiCamillo (2000), Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth was found to greatly enhance the birth outcome of an emergency preterm delivery of an infant (33 weeks gestation) due to the client’s condition of severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure). Due to the client’s precarious medical condition while in labor, the physician recommended against epidural anesthesia. The client was able to have an unmedicated, vaginal birth which is what she desired using only music for discomfort relief. The baby was breathing on its own at birth and did not require ventilation. Both mother and baby are doing fine today.
*DiCamillo, M. (2000). Music therapy assisted childbirth: a case study of an emergency highrisk preterm delivery due to pregnancy-induced hypertension. International Music Society for Prenatal Development Review, 12, 2, 813.